SKI PRESS DIY PNEUMATIC MACHINE

thingiverse

Here is the rewritten text: Build Your Own Pneumatic Ski Press Machine. This DIY project allows you to create high-quality skis at home. The machine can press standard skis and also fat skis with a width of 20 cm. The homemade ski press consists of several key components: * A steel frame for the bottom part, which ensures the flatness of the ski base. I used wood for the top frame to save costs. * A removable camber element in the bottom mold made of wood * A top mold also made of wood with a removable center element * Both molds have an expandable design to accommodate skis of different lengths * Traction elements on the sides, made from 10 mm road screws * A pneumatic system (fire pipe) inserted between the top and bottom molds to compress the ski against the bottom mold The press is also equipped with two homemade heated blankets to cure the composite material inside the ski. This is not necessary but helps achieve better quality skis. One blanket is placed on top of the bottom mold, below a metal plate to protect it from damage, while the other is placed on top of another metal sheet above the ski. The blankets are powered by 220 V and controlled using PID. You can find CAD files for: * Top and Bottom Molds * Heated Blanket * Ski Design (Telemark ski) To press a ski, follow these steps: 1. Place all ski components on top of the bottom mold. 2. Insert the pipe, place the top mold, and close the frame. 3. Inflate to 1 bar to remove excess resin. 4. Heat to 90 °C and inflate with 3-5 bars air pressure for 30 minutes to cure the resin. 5. Cool down and maintain 1 bar air pressure until the ski temperature reaches around 30°C (this may take a few hours). To make the process easier, I used a wood core that is about 20 cm wide, similar to the base element (ski base + edge + outside base). The fiberglass width is also approximately the same. After curing and pressing, use an electric jigsaw to cut along the ski's edge, revealing the wood core on the side walls. Enjoy your new DIY project!